Board Elections Results, Special Meeting Results, and Chair’s Award

Message from RNZFB Board Chair, Clive Lansink

I am pleased to share the outcomes of this year’s RNZFB Board Elections and Special Meeting of Members, and the winner of this year’s Chair’s Award.

RNZFB Board Election Results

Congratulations to our three sitting directors, Anne Marie Taggart, Ron Scott, and Richard Patete, who have been re-elected to serve another three years on the Board. Their dedication and leadership are invaluable, and we thank them for their ongoing service.

We would also like to acknowledge and thank Paul Geertson and Jacqueline Galiki for standing in the election. Their commitment to supporting Blind Low Vision NZ is greatly appreciated.

Special Meeting of Members Results

We are pleased to announce that all proposed changes to the Constitution of the Royal New Zealand Foundation of the Blind (RNZFB) were passed. These updates will strengthen the governance of the organisation:

• Director Fees: Fees will now be set in line with regular independent reviews of director fees in the not-for-profit sector, rather than through a postal ballot of members.
• Board Diversity: The Constitution now formally recognises the value of diversity in Board membership.
• Complaints Process: A new process will allow complaints against the Chief Executive to first be handled by an independent decision-making panel. If someone remains unsatisfied, they can still bring their complaint to the Board.
• Administrative Updates: Various minor administrative changes were also made to ensure clarity and efficiency.

Chair’s Report

The Chair’s report to the AGM highlights the Board’s achievements throughout the past year and the goals we are striving towards. A written version of the report will be included in the meeting minutes, and will soon be published in the Chair’s Newsletters section on the Governance webpage of the Blind Low Vision NZ website.

Chair’s Award 2024: Mark Laurent

This year, we were honoured to present the Chair’s Award to Mark Laurent, a musician, songwriter, and poet with low vision who has made remarkable contributions to the arts over his 50-year career.

Mark has written over 200 original songs, often exploring themes of faith and social connection, and he now focuses on performing his own music while touring New Zealand. He is also the author of the children’s book Rufus and the Rain, and his work continues to inspire with its authenticity and creativity.

Mark’s achievements demonstrate the talent, resilience, and passion that define so many in our community. We celebrate his success and are proud to recognise his contributions through the Chair’s Award. Here is Mark Laurent’s LinkedIn profile page.

Thank you for your support and engagement with Blind Low Vision NZ. We look forward to sharing more updates soon, including the Chair’s full report.